MLB Picks: Yankees vs. Royals – Expert Predictions and Best Bets

New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals
Date: Wednesday, October 9th, 7:08 ET
Location: Kauffman Stadium
TV: TBS
Money Line: Yankees -115/Royals -102
Total Line: 8

Betting Preview

Here’s our betting preview for the upcoming MLB clash between the Kansas City Royals and the Yankees on Wednesday, October 9th at Kauffman Stadium. We provide you with a comprehensive analysis, odds, and predictions to help with your handicapping decision or tail our expert based on the projected lineups and listed starting pitchers.

Betting Odds

First pitch for Wednesday’s AL matchup between the Yankees and Royals is set for 7:08 PM ET. This one is being played at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, and the Yankees are favored on the money line, with their odds sitting at -115 compared to the Royals at -102. The over/under line is sitting at eight runs.

New York is currently 1st in the AL East with a record of 94-68, while the Royals are 2nd in the AL Central at 86-76. TBS will be televising this game.

Yankees vs. Royals Projected Lineup

Straight Up/Over-Under/ Runline Record

New York Yankees: 94-68 SU / OU 87-72 / Runline 84-80
Kansas City Royals: 86-76 SU / OU 70-91 / Runline 93-73

It was a low-scoring game in the most recent game of this Royals vs Yankees series. Kansas City went into the matchup as +130 underdogs and squeaked out a 4-2 win. Both teams scored one run in the first inning, and the Yankees could only muster one more run in the 4th inning. As for the Royals, they scored the game’s go-ahead run in the 5th, and both offenses went silent after that.

Carlos Rodon got the start for the Yankees, going just 3 2/3 innings while giving up four runs and took the loss. Angel Zerpa got the win out of the bullpen for the Royals as Cole Ragans went just four innings, giving up one earned run.

Salvador Perez and Maikel Garcia each homered for the Royals, while Garrett Hampson scored twice and drove in a run while going 2/2. Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a home run for the Yankees.

Yankees Records & Recent Play

As the Yankees prepare for game three of their AL Divisional Round series against Kansas City, they’ll look to take a 2-1 lead on the road. New York posted a 50-31 record away from home during the regular season, compared to 44-37 at home. They went 33-25 as road favorites this year and have won three straight road games.

New York finished the regular season with an 84-80 run line record, including 49-32 on the road. They’ve covered the run line in four consecutive road games. On average, their games have totaled 9.1 runs this season, while today’s over/under line sits at eight runs. Their over/under record is 87-72.

Royals Records & Recent Play

As the Royals prepare for game three of their AL Divisional Round series against the Yankees, they find themselves tied at one game apiece. Kansas City posted an 86-76 regular season record, going 45-36 at home and 41-40 on the road. They’ve dropped their last six home games and hold a 15-14 record as home underdogs.

During the regular season, the Royals went 93-73 against the run line, with a +0.5 run-scoring margin at home. They’ve also lost six straight home games against the run line. Kansas City’s over/under record is 70-91, and 58.6% of their games had higher totals than today’s 8-run line.

Pitching Matchup

Clarke Schmidt gets the start for the Yankees today as he faces the Royals on the road. He has made 16 starts this season and has a record of 5-5 with an ERA of 2.85. Schmidt’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.18. Looking at his overall numbers, Schmidt has made two quality starts and is averaging 9.81 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last outing, he finished with a no-decision, giving up four earned runs in four innings of work. Before that, he had lost three straight starts. Schmidt has been much better on the road, coming in with a 1.51 ERA compared to 4.64 at home.

Seth Lugo gets the start for the Royals today and comes in with a record of 16-9 and an ERA of 3.00. So far this year, he has made 33 starts, and 22 of them have been quality starts. Lugo’s WHIP for the year is currently 1.09. In his last outing, he finished with a no-decision, giving up one earned run in 4 1/3 innings of work. Before that, he had gone three straight outings without giving up a homer. Lugo has allowed a total of 16 homers this year. Per nine innings, he has 7.88 strikeouts and just 2.09 walks.

Yankees vs. Royals Offense Outlook

Heading into today’s game, the Yankees are the best home run hitting team in the league and are 3rd in the league in runs per game at five runs per contest. Not only are they the top home run-hitting team, but they also have the best team batting average in the league. Aaron Judge is the league’s top home run hitter and has also been a force in the RBI department, with his 144 RBIs also leading the MLB.

Juan Soto has been swinging a hot bat of late, going 8/22 in his last six games, and is batting .288 for the season. Soto is 2nd on the team in home runs and 5th in the league in RBIs. Jazz Chisholm Jr. has also been swinging a hot bat, as he is on a five-game hitting streak and has two homers in his last six games.

So far this season, the Royals are averaging 4.5 runs per game, which is 13th in the league. They are batting .248 as a team, which is 7th in the MLB, and are also one of the best teams in the league at avoiding strikeouts. However, they are near the bottom of the league in terms of drawing walks. Kansas City’s team on-base percentage of .306 is just 16th in the league.

Heading into today’s game, Salvador Perez and Michael Massey are both on five-game hitting streaks. Perez is batting .271 for the season and is 8th in the league with 104 RBIs. Bobby Witt Jr. has been one of the league’s top power hitters this season, as his 32 homers are 12th in the league, and he is batting .332 for the year.

Free Yankees vs. Royals MLB Pick

In a pitching matchup between Clarke Schmidt and Seth Lugo, I’m giving the advantage to the Royals in this one. Back on September 10th, Lugo shut the Yankees down in 7 innings of work, and I see him throwing the ball well against today. I like Kansas City on the money line.